It's not what you look at that matter. It's what you see. (H.D. Thoreau)
If you have the blessing to have a kind, wise person in your life, speak to them. Seek out other groups/individuals who can offer support to your wellbeing in whatever way: therapy, yoga, self help groups, monasteries... Think of a major challenge in life you have previously overcome. At the time you might have thought …
Continue reading "This Too Shall Pass. 10 Ideas to Support You in Difficult Times."
What is ok in my life right now? What do I have access to that I take for granted? Is there anything I can direct my attention to which is unproblematic (birdsong, the sensation of feet touching the ground, a warm cup of tea in my hands...)? Do I have to check the news/social media …
Continue reading "Life Outside of Misery. 10 Questions for the Weekend"
The following text is an adapted version of a talk given to participants of the MTTC (Mindfulness Teacher Training Course) at Waldhaus Meditation Centre, Germany in October 2025. I dedicate it to all who are experiencing heartache right now – whether over a romantic relationship, the loss of a beloved person or the state of …
Continue reading "What’s Love Got to Do With It? Reflections on a Powerful Feeling"
I have spent most of the time since early autumn living, serving and meditating in a Buddhist retreat centre, much of it in silence. I have been here all in all for 3,5 months. As my time at the centre comes to an end, several people have asked me about my experience. Hence I will …
Do something radical today. Show up for the crispness of this morning offered so generously to you without a demand in the world. // Delete the word 'ordinary' from your dictionary. // Do you really believe this day is devoid of miracles just because it's porridge again for breakfast? // Amazement is a good swimmer …
Every morning Rebirth of the mind Daily life karma // Feed it bitterness today Get the bill tomorrow // Set out to learn to bake Got obsessed with the Big Bake Off hosted by Buddha master baker // This baking thing didn't come naturally and I only had this battered old oven // interrupted by …
4 minutes reading time Any city can be a challenging place to practise mindfulness. There are many 'sense contacts' which can easily lead to a feeling of overwhelm. At the same time, a city offers wonderful opportunities to practise mindfulness. Here are some ideas. Feel the movement of walking. Feet touching the pavement. Human body …
Go on. Make your way to this club everyone is talking about. The bouncer looks scary, but the door policy is weirdly generous. All you have to do is hand over the What Ifs and Maybes. Then, enter. Surrender your 'self' to this stuffy mess. Dance to the beat of being. Let the base vibrate …
Continue reading "Dance to Songs You Haven’t Chosen. A Poem."
8 minutes reading time Relationship to Other Beliefs If we experience a particular teaching or religion as liberating then there is no cause for feeling threatened by other beliefs. We can rejoice in somebody else's faith, even if it is not the same as 'ours', when we see that the teachings they follow lead to …
5 minutes reading time Making Mistakes Whether we are on a 'spiritual path' or not, we all make mistakes. It is important that we can look honestly at these areas which need our attention. This honest examination however does not need thoughts like 'I am not good enough' or 'It is all my fault', which …
8 minutes reading time “Do not accept any of my words on faith,“Believing them just because I said them.“Be like an analyst buying gold, who cuts, burns, and critically examines his product for authenticity.“Only accept what passes the test by proving useful and beneficial in your life.” These are the words of the Buddha – …
Reflections by a Mindfulness Teacher and Garden Enthusiast There is only limited space in the garden. It is worthwhile asking the question: What do I want to grow in this space? Knowing your garden well helps to grow a good crop. Where is the favourite hiding place of the snails? Which part of the garden …
Regular formal meditation (sitting, standing, walking or lying down) is a very beneficial and powerful way to practise mindfulness and I would encourage everyone to try it out, even if it's just for 5 minutes a day. However, if you really feel this isn't your cup of tea, there are many other ways to practise. …
Continue reading "Ideas to Practise Mindfulness With Nature"
Poems are precious. They inspire us to pause and can be powerful when we allow them to touch us. A good poem can remind us of something deep which we might already know but have forgotten in the business of our life. This is a list of ten of my favourite poems revealing something deep. …
Continue reading "Poems – Creative Gifts to Inspire Our Mindfulness Practice"
Where will the continuous fuelling of the divisive view of 'us' and 'them' lead to? Do you believe that hatred and violence on the side of those you are fighting will disappear by inflicting hatred and violence on them? What else could be the outcome of this? By saying 'We need this war in order …
Continue reading "Questions to Reflect Upon for Those Justifying Aggression, Violence and War"
SOMETIMES MINDFUL 